Twenty EU-financed films have been selected to screen at this year’s festival, 6 of which are vying for the top award.

“I am delighted that European films once again feature strongly at Cannes,” said culture commissioner Androulla Vassiliou. “I am also proud that the MEDIA programme is part of this success story.”

The EU's MEDIA programme has had a hand in 8 Palme d’Or winners since 2000. Several MEDIA-funded films have also won Oscars, including “Slumdog Millionnaire.”

Founded in 1990, the programme has €755m to spend during the 2007-13 period. The aim is to support the audiovisual industry in Europe and increase the circulation of European works outside the EU. To that end, some 65% of the money is earmarked for distribution and promotion. The programme does not fund actual film production.

From next year, EU film support will go global, with the launch of an exchange scheme to build creative and commercial ties between filmmakers in and outside the bloc. The goal is to create business opportunities and boost viewer choice around the world.

In recent years, film industry professionals have met with politicians during the Cannes festival to discuss developments and funding priorities. This year, commissioner Vassiliou will host the meeting and announce the winner of the 2010 European Talent Prize. This is an annual competition between projects backed by the programme to find the film with the best European theme.

The 6 EU-funded films competing for this year’s Palme d’Or include 3 by French filmmakers: “On Tour,” “Of God and Men” and “The Princess of Montpensier,” by Mathieu Amalric, Xavier Beauvois and Bertrand Tavernier respectively.

The 3 other films are “My Joy” by Sergei Loznitsa (Ukraine), “Certified Copy” by Abbas Kiarostami (Iran) and “Tender Son-The Frankenstein Project” by Kornél Mundruczó (Hungary).